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Sunday, June 9, 2024

Latest county council roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks bulletin from Denbighshore Counyty Council is:

Wrth / Nr 10 BRIDGE STREET 04/06/2024 10/06/2024 Gwaith Trydanol / Electrical Works OCU GROUP LLANGOLLEN

A539 Castle Street, Llangollen CASTLE STREET 11/06/2024 13/06/2024 Overnight patching works - Hogans. TM Amberon. CORE HIGHWAYS CONWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN

Full extent TOWER ROAD 18/06/2024 14/07/2024 System Unffordd ar gyfer Eisteddfod Gerddorol Ryngwladol Llangollen / One-way System to support Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod LIVE NATION (MUSIC) UK LT LLANGOLLEN

From St. John's Church to Castle Street ABBEY ROAD 03/07/2024 03/07/2024 Parêd Rhyngwladol y Cenhedloedd Llangollen / Llangollen International Parade of Nations LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL LLANGOLLEN

A542 A539 - Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, Llangollen MILL STREET 09/07/2024 10/07/2024 I reoli traffig ar llwybr amgen / To control traffic on an alternative route NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 A539, Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, Llangollen MILL STREET 30/09/2024 01/10/2024 Manned TTL to assist with Trunk Road traffic flow whilst A483 is closed between J1 Ruabon and Halton Roundabout - Overnight from 20:00hrs and 06:00hrs LISA BILTON (DCC) LLANGOLLEN

A539 Hill Street, Pengwern, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8EU HILL STREET 07/07/2024 07/07/2024 Gwaith ar Dwll Archwilio/ Man Hole Works ALUN GRIFFITHS (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure


Special town hall auction planned to support Eisteddfod

* A guitar signed by the Manic Street Preachers at their last Llangollen Eisteddfod show in July 2017. They return on Friday June 28 with Indie Legends Suede.

A signed Manic Street Preachers guitar, a Leeds United shirt signed by four Wales international footballers, and tickets to see Tom Jones and Bryan Adams are just some of the 20-plus items up for grabs at a special charity auction to raise money for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.  

The auction, to be held at Llangollen Town Hall next Friday, June 14, comes just days before international superstar Bryan Adams takes to the stage at the world-famous festival. 

The night also features Côr DAW, a Welsh Choir with a difference. The singers entertain audiences with medleys featuring artists such as Queen, ABBA, Elton John, Michael Jackson, and Jersey Boys - all in Welsh!

Côr DAW stands for Dysgwyr Ardal Wrecsam - Wrexham area learners of Welsh - and was formed by Pam Evans-Hughes in 2011 to compete in the National Eisteddfod. 

Since then it has wowed audiences at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, Chester Cathedral, Wales Millenium Centre, Focus Wales, and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The evening which starts at 7.30pm, and alongside the auction and live entertainment there will also be a tombola. The evening will raise money for the Eisteddfod’s charity, which helps to bring people from around the world to the festival.

Ian Lebbon, Chair of the Eisteddfod’s Marketing Committee and auctioneer for the evening, said: “This is our second ever auction and we have some amazing lots, including a guitar signed by Manic Street Preachers when they last appeared in Llangollen in 2017, kindly donated by our former Chair Dr Rhys Davies, tickets to some of this summer’s biggest concerts, including Tom Jones and Bryan Adams, and much more.  

"All money raised will go towards our charity. We’re also looking forward to hearing the ladies from Côr DAW, who have made a huge name for themselves singing rock classics in Welsh. It’ll be a great night, and will a brilliant start to our biggest ever summer.”

* Tickets for the evening, priced at £5, are now on sale at Llangollen Tourist Information Centre. 

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Summer fete makes a spectacular return to Plas Newydd


* A highlight of the afternoon came when Llangollen Pantomime Group performed songs from their last smash-hit show, Jack and the Beanstalk. In 2025 they will be staging Beauty and the Beast at the Town Hall from January 16-19.

Llangollen Summer Fete made a hugely successful return to Plas Newydd today (Saturday) after an enforced absence of five years due to the pandemic.

Hundreds flocked to the grounds of the town's own stately home to enjoy a fun afternoon in the sun featuring family-friendly favourites including games, stalls, treasure hunts, raffles, entertainment, food, competitions, a local artisan market and live music.

Three local organisations - Vale of Llangollen Rotary, Llangollen Parks Project and Plas Newydd – teamed up to revive the popular event, which was last held in 2019.

Entry to the event was by donation only and funds raised on the day will go to a number of good causes.


 * The new Town Mayor and Mayoress, Aled and Sarah Morris, officially open the fete.


* Llangollen Silver Band plays for the crowds.


* The plant stall did growing business.


* The cake stall kept busy.


* The soft toys proved popular.


* Llangollen Food Share's well-stocked stall. 


* Ysgol Bryn Collen's PTFA ran a busy raffle.


* Trying his hand at keeping the plate spinning.


 * Ysgol Y Gwernant hosted a tricky splat-a-rat game.


* Plenty of interest was shown in the Llangollen Eisteddfod information stall.


* Llangollen Maelor Angling offered hook-a-duck.


* Crowds at the fete in mid-afternoon.


* Brownie Queen did a tasty trade.


* The AONB team offered the chance to try camera obscura of the type once sited near Castell Dinas Bran in the 19th century. 


* A gleaming 1923 Morris "Bullnose" Cowley was on show.


* Emergency services were on display.


* The Charlie Jones Band played later in the afternoon. Charlie, left, also compered the fete.


* Charlie draws the winner in the Eisteddfod stall's raffle - two tickets to the Wales Welcomes the World evening concert on July 3. With her are Eisteddfod volunteers Mike Gleed and Issy Richards.   

Abseiler helps Eisteddfod put up its banner at station

An expert abseiler helped the Eisteddfod put up its striking advertising banner on a vantage point high above Llangollen station yesterday (Friday) morning.

The expert climbing service was provided by Glyndyfrdwy-based R3 Safety & Rescue, courtesy of its managing director Paul O’Sullivan.

The banner, which will stay in its vantage point in clear view of the town bridge for the duration of the festival, is based on the Eisteddfod’s new, more modern branding design.

Eisteddfod board member Ian Lebbon, who was there to watch the intricate operation, said: “It’s good to see our eye-catching banner going up where everyone will be able to see it.

“It’s also great that the guys from R3 Safety & Rescue, who have done this job for us for a number of years now, were back to help us out again, free of charge, this year.”

Friends of Pengwern meet 'n' greet next week


Friends of Pengwern has its annual general meeting and meet 'n' greet session at Pengwern Community Hub on the evening of Friday June 14, from 6-7pm.

A group spokesperson said: "It's an opportunity to build community and make connections for any Llangollen residents interested in being a friend of our lovely Pengwern Community Hub.

"There will be refreshments and music."

Friday, June 7, 2024

Top women's bike race comes zooming through town

This stunning image courtesy of Alistair John Sharp of Pictures of Llangollen shows competitors in the Tour of Britain Bike Race Women 2024 heading into town this afternoon (Friday).

The race’s second stage started and finished on Chester Street in Wrexham’s city centre and took in some of the breathtaking scenery in Denbighshire, West Cheshire and Chester, with a further one sprint and two Queen of the Mountains segments along the way.

The peloton travelled north out of Wrexham, crossing into West Cheshire after just 20km where the route ramped up alongside the Peckforton Hill Range, part of the Mid-Cheshire Ridge.
The route then crossed back into Wrexham, taking in the villages of Bangor-on-Dee and Overton, before the sprint was decided in Johnstown. The race continued along a scenic stretch of the Llangollen Canal.

A crowd of spectators waited for the cyclists around the Llangollen Bridge area.
Large crowds were also out on the Horseshoe Pass, which came at a pivotal point of the stage with around 30km to go.
The ensuing descent set up a fast run-in to Wrexham for the stage finish to conclude the race’s journey in Wales, passing through Minera and Rhostyllen, before a short hop back over the border to Warrington for stage three.

Call for gardening enthusiasts to help at Plas Newydd

An opportunity is available for interested gardeners to help out at an historic Llangollen home.

Plas Newydd has launched volunteering opportunities for keen gardeners who are also interested in preserving a piece of the town’s history.


The home of Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby captured the imagination of Regency society.


Both received a stream of visitors to the unpretentious little cottage which, over the years, they transformed into a Gothic fantasy of projecting stained glass and elaborately carved oak.


The Grade II listed gardens cover around 10 acres of grounds from rose gardens to woodland and dell areas, complemented by a stream flowing through.


Staff at the site are now opening the doors to those interesting in gardening and also wanting to learn some tips and tricks to help them out with their own outdoor areas.


Emlyn Jones, Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents interested in gardening to boost their wellbeing by spending time helping in this wonderful garden.


“Plas Newydd is such an important piece of Llangollen’s history and this a fantastic chance to do you own bit to help preserve this area for the local community and future visitors to continue to enjoy and learn from.”


* If you are interested in volunteering, contact Lisette.davies@denbighshire.gov.uk or call 07454932732